Bicycle electronic system

ABSTRACT

A bicycle electronic system is described comprising a first manual command management unit having a casing configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar, comprising at least one first manually actuatable switch, a first processor and a first wireless communication device, wherein the first manual command management unit further comprises a circuit for supplying power to the first processor and the first wireless communication device, the power supply circuit comprising a battery power supply source and/or being configured for absorbing energy from a radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Italian Application Nos.MI2013A000895, filed on May 31, 2013, and MI2013A001943, filed Nov. 21,2013, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein byreference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bicycle electronic system and inparticular a bicycle electronic gearshift.

BACKGROUND

A motion transmission system in a bicycle comprises a chain extendingbetween toothed wheels associated with the axle of the pedal cranks andwith the hub of the rear wheel. When there is more than one toothedwheel at at least one of the axle of the pedal cranks and the hub of therear wheel, and the motion transmission system is therefore providedwith a gearshift, a front derailleur and/or a rear derailleur areprovided for. In the case of an electronically servo-assisted gearshift,each derailleur comprises a chain guide element, also known as cage,movable to move the chain among the toothed wheels in order to changethe gear ratio, and an electromechanical actuator to move the chainguide element. The actuator in turn typically comprises a motor,typically an electric motor, coupled with the chain guide elementthrough a linkage such as an articulated parallelogram, a rack system ora worm screw system, as well as a sensor of the position, speed and/oracceleration of the rotor or of any moving part downstream of the rotor,down to the chain guide element itself. It is worthwhile noting thatslightly different terminology from that used in this context is also inuse.

Control electronics changes the gear ratio automatically, for examplebased on one or more detected variables, such as the travel speed, thecadence of rotation of the pedal cranks, the torque applied to the pedalcranks, the slope of the travel terrain, the heart rate of the cyclistand similar, and/or, of particular interest for the present invention,the gear ratio is changed based on commands manually input by thecyclist through suitable control members, for example levers and/orbuttons.

A device for controlling the front derailleur and a device forcontrolling the rear derailleur—or just one of the two in the case ofsimpler gearshifts—are mounted so as to be easy for the cyclist tomanoeuvre, normally on the handlebars, close to the handgrips thereofwhere the brake lever is also located for controlling the front and rearwheel brake, respectively. Control devices that allow to drive both aderailleur in the two directions and a brake are commonly calledintegrated controls.

By convention, the device for controlling the front derailleur and thebrake lever of the front wheel are located close to the left handgrip,and the device for controlling the rear derailleur and the brake leverof the rear wheel are located close to the right handgrip.

The aforementioned components are located on-board the bicycle and mustcommunicate with one another. Moreover, the aforementioned componentsmust be powered.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,045 B2 discloses a bicycle control apparatuscomprising a bicycle component control unit having one of a controltransmitter and a control receiver; a computer control unit having theother one of the control transmitter and the control receiver; atransmission path coupled to the bicycle component control unit and tothe computer control unit; wherein the control transmitter communicatespower and data to the control receiver on the transmission path. Thedocument generally indicates that the transmission path betweendisplay-carrier unit and front derailleur unit can also be wireless,however it does not indeed teach to transmit power in a wireless manner.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,567 B2 discloses an electronic control system forcycles for association with a set of sensors, a set of actuators and aset of control members associated with the cycle, comprising: a firstprocessor unit able to act as a unit for processing and displayinginformation, that in the embodiment shown is a display unit; a secondprocessor unit able to act as a unit for controlling the communicationand interfacing with said set of control members, that in the embodimentshown is a display-carrier unit; and a third processor unit able to actas a unit for interfacing with said set of sensors and said set ofactuators, that in the embodiment shown is a central unit arranged atthe bottle-holder; said first, second and third processor unit beingconnected together via asynchronous bi-directional communicationchannels.

EP 2 072 091 B1 discloses a bicycle electronic apparatus comprising anelectronic control unit, a display unit, a drive unit and a secondelectronic control unit or sensor unit that communicate via acommunication channel through a suitable communication protocol; a linefor powering the components of the bicycle electronic apparatus is alsoprovided. The electronic control unit in the embodiment shown is housedin the casing of a display unit. The document generally indicates thatthe communication between the various units can also be wireless.

The Applicant has perceived that the architectures of the aforementioneddocuments generally comprise a main processor, the malfunctioning ofwhich results in the entire system malfunctioning.

The problem at the basis of the invention is therefore that of avoidingthe aforementioned drawbacks, in particular providing a bicycleelectronic system having a distributed architecture.

SUMMARY

In one aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a bicycleelectronic system, comprising:

a manual command management unit having a casing configured for beingfixed at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar, comprising at least onefirst manually actuatable switch and a first processor,

a derailleur management unit comprising a second processor,

wherein the system comprises a first direct communication channelbetween the first processor and the second processor, and wherein thefirst processor, in response to the manual actuation of the at least onefirst switch, emits a derailleur command signal addressed to thederailleur management unit, and the second processor receives thederailleur command signal from the first processor through the directcommunication channel.

In the present description and in the attached claims under the term“channel”, a communication or propagation route of a signal is meant.From the physical point of view the term “channel” is used to indicatethe type of wired media that connect two units for the physical remotetransmission of the information committed to the signals or the physicalenvironment (radio medium) wherein these propagate.

Therefore, in such a way, it is possible to avoid a centralised unitthat receives the commands emitted by the manual command management unitand routes them—possibly re-processing them—towards the derailleurmanagement unit.

Since the casing of the manual command management unit is configured forbeing fixed at a handgrip, a manual command management unit according tothe invention does not include a display-carrier unit, a display unit oranother centralised unit of the type used up to now, i.a., for groupingthe commands emitted with two manual command management units wherepresent.

Preferably the system comprises a second manual command management unithaving a casing configured for being fixed at a second handgrip of abicycle handlebar, comprising at least one second manually actuatableswitch and a third processor.

Preferably the system comprises a second derailleur management unitcomprising a fourth processor.

Preferably the system comprises a second direct communication channelbetween the third processor and the fourth processor, and the thirdprocessor, in response to the manual actuation of the at least onesecond switch, emits a derailleur command signal addressed to the secondderailleur management unit, and the fourth processor receives thederailleur command signal from the third processor through the seconddirect communication channel.

Preferably the system, also in the absence of the second manual commandmanagement unit, comprises a third direct communication channel betweenthe first processor and the fourth processor, and the first processor,in response to the manual actuation of the at least one first switch,emits a derailleur command signal addressed to the second derailleurmanagement unit, and the fourth processor receives the derailleurcommand signal from the first processor through the third directcommunication channel.

Preferably, also in the absence of the second derailleur managementunit, the system comprises a fourth direct communication channel betweenthe third processor and the second processor, and the third processor,in response to the manual actuation of the at least one second switch,emits a derailleur command signal addressed to the derailleur managementunit, and the second processor receives the derailleur command signalfrom the third processor through the fourth direct communicationchannel.

Preferably, the first manual command management unit and the secondmanual command management unit, if provided for, have at least twoswitches.

In embodiments, those provided for among the first direct communicationchannel and/or the second direct communication channel and/or the thirddirect communication channel and/or the fourth direct communicationchannel are wireless communication channels.

In embodiments, those provided for among the first direct communicationchannel and/or the second direct communication channel and/or the thirddirect communication channel and/or the fourth direct communicationchannel are cabled communication channels.

Preferably, those provided for among the first direct communicationchannel and/or the second direct communication channel and/or the thirddirect communication channel and/or the fourth direct communicationchannel are cabled communication channels on a same communication bus.

In one aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a bicycleelectronic system, wherein the distributed architecture is embodied in awired mode, comprising:

a battery unit,

a manual command management unit,

a derailleur management unit, and

a supply and communication bus, each of said units being connected tosaid bus.

Each of said manual command management unit and derailleur managementunit comprises a processor and a voltage regulator arranged between theprocessor and said bus.

Such a distributed architecture makes it possible to avoid a centralprocessing unit, as well as to easily expand the system. Moreover, thepower supply is advantageously shared by all of the units, eachadvantageously being provided with a voltage regulator to adapt it toits processor that can therefore be specific for the unit itself. Themanual command management unit directly communicates with the derailleurmanagement unit through the bus to impart gearshifting commands thereto.Vice-versa, the derailleur management unit can communicate messagesrelative to its own state directly to the manual command managementunit.

This embodiment of the bicycle electronic system can be further improvedthrough the following additional features capable to be combined witheach other as desired.

Advantageously, said supply and communication bus comprises a groundcable, a power supply cable and a single serial communication cable.

By providing for a bus with three wires distributed over the entiresystem, the connections of the various units are simplified.

Preferably, each of said manual command management unit and derailleurmanagement unit comprises a receiver incorporated within said processoror external thereto and/or a transmitter.

By providing for both the transmitter and the receiver on each unit, thecapabilities of the system are increased.

Preferably, said transmitter and said receiver are connected to saidserial communication cable.

Preferably, each of said manual command management unit and derailleurmanagement unit further comprises a capacitive device arranged betweenthe regulator and power supply and ground cables of said bus.

Said capacitive device advantageously has the function of allowing thepower supply to the processor for a brief time sufficient for savingdata in the case of a lack of power supply.

Preferably, each of said manual command management unit and derailleurmanagement unit and optionally said battery unit comprises a polarizer,preferably a resistor, arranged between power supply and communicationcables of said bus.

Advantageously, the system further comprises a second manual commandmanagement unit and a second derailleur management unit, each comprisinga processor and a voltage regulator arranged between the processor andground and power supply cables of said bus.

Advantageously, the system further comprises at least one other unitselected from the group consisting of a computer cycle, a sensor unit, alogging unit, a peripheral unit, each comprising a processor and avoltage regulator arranged between the processor and ground and powersupply cables of said bus.

Preferably, said transmitter comprises a MOSFET and a resistor connectedin series between the communication and ground cables of the bus, thegate of the MOSFET being driven by the processor.

Preferably, the receiver comprises a threshold comparator, morepreferably a Schmitt trigger.

Preferably, the processor is configured to check, through the receiver,that the voltage on the communication cable is equal to a quiescencevalue for a minimum time and transmit a message, through thetransmitter, only in the affirmative case.

Preferably, the processor is configured to check, through the receiver,every bit transmitted through the transmitter and to retransmit theentire message and/or the single transmitted bit in case the check givesa negative outcome.

Preferably, the processor is configured to monitor, through thereceiver, whether the voltage on the communication cable is equal to aquiescence value for a minimum time and, in the negative case, toreceive a message, to check whether it is the addressee unit, and, inthe positive case, to send an acknowledgement of receipt signal throughthe transmitter, to carry out a possible action in response to themessage, and to send a further acknowledgement of receipt signal throughthe transmitter.

In one aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a bicycleelectronic system, wherein the distributed architecture is embodied inan at least partially wireless mode.

Such a bicycle electronic system exploits wireless connectivity in anoptimized manner.

In one aspect thereof, the present invention thus concerns a bicycleelectronic system comprising a first manual command management unithaving a casing configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicyclehandlebar, comprising at least one first manually actuatable switch, afirst processor and a first wireless communication device.

The first manual command management unit further comprises a circuit forsupplying power to the first processor and the first wirelesscommunication device, the power supply circuit comprising a batterypower supply source and/or being configured for absorbing energy from aradiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.

Through the aforementioned characteristics, the manual commandmanagement unit is totally free of electric wires coming out from itscasing and directed to one or more other components of the system, withmanifest advantages such as for example an improved appearance, improvedaerodynamics and a particular assembly easiness. It should be understoodthat there could be a mechanical cable for actuating a brake, such as aBowden cable, in the case of a so-called integrated command that issuitable for commanding not only an electronic gearshift, but also amechanical brake.

Preferably, the battery power supply source where provided for is abattery of the button cell type.

Preferably, the battery power supply source is a battery of the alkalinetype.

Preferably, the system further comprises at least one first derailleurunit.

Preferably in the manual command management unit, the first processor,in response to the manual actuation of the at least one first switch,emits a derailleur command; and the derailleur management unit receivesand processes the derailleur command.

As specified more clearly hereinafter, the communication of thederailleur command from the manual command management unit to thederailleur management unit can be direct or indirect, through anotherunit of the system named interface unit herein.

Preferably, the system further comprises at least two units preselectedamong a first derailleur unit, a second derailleur unit, and a batteryunit, and at least one electric cable connection between said at leasttwo preselected units.

Preferably said at least one electric cable connection comprises a powersupply connection.

Preferably said at least one electric cable connection further comprisesa data and/or command communication connection.

The system therefore preferably and advantageously has an innovativemixed architecture, wherein the “top” part of the bicycle—that is to saythe manual control(s) that is(are) fixed to the handlebar and possibly adisplay unit or interface unit (interface between the manual controlsand the rest of the system and/or interface with the user)—are totallywireless (communication and power supply), while the “bottom” part ofthe bicycle, comprising the derailleurs, is connected via cable. Thisarchitecture is optimized since in the bottom part of the bicycle thepowers involved are greater, having to provide for the movement of atleast one chain guide. Moreover, in such a “bottom” part of the bicyclethe presence of cables is typically less critical since it is easier topass them inside the frame, due to the fact that the tubes of the framehave a greater section than the tubes of the handlebar, and they have adifferent shape.

The interface unit can be totally wireless or be connected via cablewith the “bottom” part of the bicycle.

The data and/or command communication can be totally wireless within thesystem, providing a wireless communication also between said at leasttwo preselected units, or it can be mixed, when as mentioned said atleast one electric cable connection comprises a data and/or commandcommunication connection. In latter case, the electric cables providedfor the power supply connection are exploited for providing a cabledcommunication, which is for some aspects more reliable and faster thanwireless communication.

Preferably the system comprises a first derailleur unit, a secondderailleur unit and a battery unit, a first electric cable connectionbetween the battery unit and the first derailleur unit, and a secondelectric cable connection between the battery unit and the secondderailleur unit.

In embodiments, the first and the second electric cable connectioncomprise power supply connections, the system further comprising atleast one data and/or command wireless communication channel betweensaid first derailleur unit, second derailleur unit and battery unit.

In embodiments, the first and the second electric cable connectioncomprise power supply and data and/or commands communicationconnections.

The battery unit, where present, can be housed in the seat post or inthe seat tube, or fixed outside the frame in a suitable position.

In other embodiments, at least one of the first and second derailleurunit comprises a battery, and the battery unit is absent.

Preferably, the system comprises a second manual command management unithaving a casing configured for being fixed at a second handgrip of abicycle handlebar, comprising at least one second manually actuatableswitch, a second processor and a second wireless communication device,wherein the second manual command management unit further comprises asecond circuit for supplying power to the second processor and thesecond wireless communication device, the second power supply circuitcomprising a battery power supply source and/or being configured forabsorbing energy from a radiofrequency electromagnetic field generatedwithin the system.

In embodiments, the system further comprises an interface unit betweenthe first manual command management unit and the rest of the system, inparticular between the first manual command management unit and thesecond manual command management unit and one or two derailleurmanagement units.

Preferably, the interface unit comprises a third processor and a thirdwireless communication device, as well as a third circuit for supplyingpower to the third processor and of the third wireless communicationdevice.

Preferably, the third power supply circuit comprises a battery powersupply source configured for supplying energy also to saidradiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.

As an alternative, the interface unit absorbs energy from aradiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.

As an alternative, the interface unit is connected with the battery unitthough a power supply, and optionally also data/command communication,connection.

Preferably, when the first manual command management unit comprises thepower supply circuit configured only for absorbing energy from aradiofrequency electromagnetic field, it further comprises an energyaccumulation device, typically a condenser.

This preferably holds true also for the second manual command managementunit, where provided for, and/or for the interface unit, if supplied bya radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the batteryunit.

Through such an energy accumulation device, the manual commandmanagement unit (or other unit) is capable of self-powering itsprocessor for a length of time that is sufficient for transmitting arequest for emission of radiofrequency electromagnetic field to anothercomponent of the system.

Preferably the first wireless communication device comprises a receptionand transmission antenna.

Preferably the reception and transmission antenna is made as a track ofa board for printed circuit board (PCB) carrying the first processor.

This preferably holds true also for the second manual command managementunit and/or for the interface unit and/or for other units, whereprovided for and provided with a reception and transmission antenna.

Advantageously, the provision of such an antenna incorporated in the PCBavoids the necessity of having to provide, keep in store and assemble adistinct component.

Preferably the units of the system on board of a same bicycle are soconfigured as to make a private communication network, and morepreferably that is secured with respect to the outside.

This provision allows the coexistence of said communication network onboard of a first bicycle with a similar communication network on boardof a second bicycle, without interferences in the passage of data and/orcommands between the two networks. This is particularly important duringraces and in particular during sprinting, in which there can be tens ofbicycles in a range of a few metres.

The units of the system on board of a same bicycle can be connected in acommunication network of the mesh type (mesh network), wherein each unitrepresents a node that acts as a receiver, transmitter and/or repeater,or in a communication network having at least one star subnetworkwherein one unit represents a node that acts as a star centre node andother units represent a peripheral node, or in a communication networkhaving at least one tree subnetwork wherein a unit represents a nodethat acts as a root and other units represent a peripheral node.

Each root node or star centre node has the function of receiver and/ortransmitter and/or repeater and/or network coordinator.

Each peripheral node has the function of receiver and/or transmitter,but not of repeater and/or network coordinator.

Preferably the wireless communication is carried out in accordance witha low power wireless communication protocol selected from the groupconsisting of ZigBee, Blue tooth, Blue Tooth Low Power consumption, NFC,WiFi, RFID, more preferably in accordance with the protocol known asZigBee.

More specifically, ZigBee is the name of a specification for a group ofhigh level communication protocols that use small low power digitalantennas, based on the standard IEEE 802.15.4 for wireless Personal areanetworks (WPAN).

Preferably the wireless communication occurs at 868 MHz or 2.4 GHz.

The security of the network can be embodied by means of suitable, per sewell known, cryptographic systems. Purely as an example, the possibilityof adding a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) at the end of a message, whichacts as a read keyword, and/or the possibility of inverting thecommunication bit shall be mentioned.

Preferably the communication network among the units of the system onboard of a same bicycle is configured to be further in wirelesscommunication with a supervisor device that is not mounted on board ofthe bicycle.

Advantageously such a supervisor device is on board of a so called teamcar, which follows a bicycle or a team of bicycles during a race.

Through wireless communication, the current value of one or moreparameters and/or variables of the systems on board of one or morebicycles can be advantageously transmitted to the supervisor deviceand/or the value of one or more parameters and variables of the systemson board of one or more bicycles can be modified by the supervisordevice, with a direct communication from the supervisor device to thesystem on board of a bicycle and/or with a broadcast communication fromthe supervisor device addressed to all the systems on board of thebicycles of the team.

In one aspect thereof, the invention concerns a control system of atleast one bicycle comprising a bicycle electronic system as mentionedabove and a supervisor device not on board of the bicycle in wirelesscommunication with one another.

In one aspect thereof, the invention concerns a control device for abicycle electronic system as mentioned above.

In one aspect thereof, the invention concerns a bicycle electronicsystem comprising at least two wireless communication units in wirelesscommunication through ZigBee protocol.

In one aspect thereof, the invention concerns a bicycle electronicsystem comprising a unit comprising a processor and a wirelesscommunication antenna, wherein the wireless communication antenna ismade as a track of a printed circuit board (PCB) carrying the processor.

In one aspect thereof, the invention concerns a bicycle electronicsystem comprising a manual command management unit comprising a powersupply circuit configured for absorbing energy from a radiofrequencyelectromagnetic field, and an energy accumulation device, typically acondenser.

Through such an energy accumulation device, the manual commandmanagement unit is capable of self-powering its own processor for alength of time that is sufficient for transmitting a request foremission of radiofrequency electromagnetic field to another component ofthe system.

The systems and devices of such other aspects of the invention cancomprise one or more of the features described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomeclearer from the following detailed description of some preferredembodiments thereof, made with reference to the attached drawings. Thedifferent features in the individual configurations can be combinedtogether as desired. In such drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bicycle electronic system according to anembodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a battery unit of the bicycle electronicsystem,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of each of the other units of the bicycleelectronic system,

FIG. 4 is a basic wiring diagram of a battery unit of the bicycleelectronic system,

FIG. 5 is a basic wiring diagram of each of the other units of thebicycle electronic system,

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a communication protocol, relative to thetransmission,

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the communication protocol, relative to thereception,

FIGS. 8-11 are block diagrams of some embodiments of a bicycleelectronic system according to the present invention, which differ fromone another in the architecture of a communication network within thesystem,

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a unit of the bicycle electronic system ofFIGS. 8-11, in one embodiment,

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a unit of the bicycle electronic system ofFIGS. 8-11, in another embodiment,

FIG. 14 schematically represents various units of an embodiment of abicycle electronic system, that are spread on a bicycle,

FIG. 15 schematically represents a manual command management unit of anembodiment of the bicycle electronic system,

FIG. 16 schematically represents an interface unit of an embodiment ofthe bicycle electronic system,

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a communication protocol, relative to a unitacting as a peripheral node in the communication network within thesystem of an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of a communication protocol, relative to a unitacting as a root node or star centre node in the communication networkwithin the system of an embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a control system of bicycles according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the illustration of the figures,identical or similar reference numerals are used to indicateconstructive elements with the same or analogous function.

With reference to FIG. 1, a bicycle electronic system 1 comprises abattery unit 12, a manual command management unit 14, a derailleurmanagement unit 16, and a bus 18 or power supply and communication bus.Each of said units 12, 14, 16 is connected to the bus 18.

For example, the manual command management unit 14 is the one actuatablewith the right hand, comprising in a per se known manner a casing thatis configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar, andthe derailleur management unit 16 is the one associated with the rearwheel.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the bicycle electronic system 1 furthercomprises other units connected to the bus 18.

A second manual command management unit 15 and a second derailleurmanagement unit 17 are thus shown, in the above example the oneactuatable with the left hand, comprising in a per se known manner acasing that is configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicyclehandlebar, and the one associated with the axle of the pedal cranks,respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, there can be just the management unit ofthe front derailleur and the respective control, typically actuatablewith the left hand.

Among the other units that can be connected to the bus 18 in the bicycleelectronic system 1 there are a computer cycle 20, a sensor unit 22, alogging unit 24, and a generic peripheral unit 26, for example a unitfor detecting/processing the pedalling effort, remotely-positionedcommand units, namely one or more duplicated command unit(s) indifferent positions on the handlebars or elsewhere, etc.

The bus 18 is a physically cabled channel. The bus 18 preferablycomprises three cables, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3: a ground cable 30,a power supply cable 32 and a single serial communication cable 34. Theground cable 30 is the reference for all the differences in electricalpotential of the system, the power supply cable 32 feeds all of theunits 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 connected in the bicycle electronic system1, and the serial communication cable 34 is used by all of the units14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 connected in the bicycle electronic system 1 tocommunicate service or error messages or commands.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the block diagram of the battery unit 12, whileFIG. 3 also shows the block diagram of each of the other aforementionedunits 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26.

The battery unit 12 comprises a power cell or battery 36 or accumulator,which can also be formed of many cells, preferably rechargeable,typically connected in series. The battery 36 is connected between theground and power supply cables 30, 32 to supply a voltage differencebetween the two cables available for the rest of the bicycle electronicsystem 1 through the bus 18. The battery unit 12 also optionallycomprises a polarizer 38, for example a resistor, connected between thepower supply cable 32 and the communication cable 34 to generate a knownvoltage on the communication cable 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the other units 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26comprises a processor 40 and a voltage regulator 42 arranged between theprocessor 40 and the bus 18, more specifically between its ground andpower supply cables 30, 32.

The processor 40 controls and/or is controlled by devices specific forthe unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 itself, depicted by a generic functionalblock 44. For example, in the case of the manual command management unit14, 15 the functional block 44 typically comprises at least one or twoswitches to transmit, upon a change of their state, an upwardgearshifting request signal and/or a downward gearshifting requestsignal, respectively, as well as possibly levers or buttons foractuating the switches; in the case of the derailleur management unit16, 17, the functional block 44 for example comprises a driving circuitof an electric motor and/or an electric motor for moving the chain guideelement of the derailleur; in the case of the computer cycle 20, thefunctional block 44 for example comprises a display, control switches, adata and program memory; in the case of the sensor unit 22, thefunctional block 44 comprises one or more sensors of variables such asthe travel speed, cadence of rotation of the pedal cranks, the torqueapplied to the pedal cranks, the slope of the travel terrain, the heartrate of the cyclist and the like; in the case of the logging unit 24,the functional block 44 for example comprises a clock and a memory tostore events and the respective times when they occurred; finally, inthe case of a generic peripheral unit 26, the functional block 44comprises one or more electronic devices controlled by or forcontrolling the processor 40; there could also be peripheral units 26having just a processing function, without the functional block 44.

The provision of a voltage regulator 42 allows each unit 14-17, 20, 22,24, 26 to be designed with the processor 40 most suitable for thespecific function of the unit itself, which as can be seen from theabove can be highly variable. The voltage regulator 42, indeed, takesthe power supplied by the battery 12 from the bus 18 and provides themost suitable voltage values for the processor 40.

Although it has not been shown, one or more of the electronic andelectromechanical devices schematised by the functional block 44 can bedirectly connected to the ground 30 and power supply 32 cables to besupplied by the battery unit 12 through the bus 18.

A capacitive device 46, such as a small-capacity condenser, ispreferably arranged between the voltage regulator 42 and the bus 18,more specifically between its ground and power supply cables 30, 32.Such a device has the function of allowing the power supply of theprocessor 40 for a brief period of time, for example a few milliseconds,sufficient to allow a delayed turning off of the processor 40 in thecase of a lack of power supply on the bus 18, so that the processor 40can take care of saving all the data and the current value of all of thevariables in a non-volatile memory in the case of the lack of powersupply.

Each unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 also preferably and advantageouslycomprises a modulator of the voltage on the communication cable ortransmitter 48 and a demodulator of the voltage on the communicationcable or receiver 50.

As better described hereinafter, the receiver 50 is shown as aself-standing block, but it can be incorporated in the processor 40.

The provision of a transmitter or modulator 48 and of a receiver ordemodulator 50 in each unit connected in the bicycle electronic system 1allows a direct communication between the various units. In particular,the manual command management units 14, 15 and/or the sensor unit 22 cancommunicate directly with the derailleur management units 16, 17 todirectly impart upward and downward gearshifting commands and receivestate messages of the derailleurs. A communication protocol particularlysuitable for the bicycle electronic system 1 is illustrated hereinafter.

In some units 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 the transmitter 48 and/or thereceiver 50 could be absent, of course giving up the ability tocommunicate (or the full ability) for such units, and possibly changingcommunication protocol with respect to that described hereinafter.

Similarly to the battery unit 12, each of the other units 14-17, 20, 22,24, 26 also optionally comprises a polarizer 52, for example a resistor,connected between the power supply cable 32 and the communication cable34 to generate a known voltage on the communication cable 34.

FIG. 4 is a basic wiring diagram of the battery unit 12, which betterillustrates how the battery 36 or accumulator, formed of plural cellsconnected in series, is connected between cables 31, 33 leading to theground and power supply cables 30, 32 of the bus 18 and the optionalpolarizer 38, in the form of a resistor 38, is connected between cables33, 35 leading to the power supply cable 32 and to the communicationcable 34 of the bus 18.

FIG. 5 is a basic wiring diagram of each of the other units 14-17, 20,22, 24, 26 of the bicycle electronic system 1. The protection capacity46 is connected between cables 31 a, 33 a leading to the ground andpower supply cables 30, 32 of the bus 18; downstream thereof, thevoltage regulator 42 is connected between the cables 31 a, 33 a leadingto the power supply and ground cables 32, 30 of the bus 18; theprocessor 40 is connected between the voltage regulator 42 and the cable31 a leading to the ground cable 30 in such a way as to be powered witha regulated voltage. The processor 40 is also connected directly to acable 35 a leading to the communication cable 34 since it incorporatesor implements the receiver 50, being able to detect the voltage levelpresent on the communication cable 34 and to interpret it according tothe communication protocol described below.

In an alternative embodiment, the demodulator could be a self-standingcomponent, for example a threshold comparator, preferably a Schmitttrigger.

The modulator or transmitter 48 comprises a MOSFET 54 and a resistor 56connected in series between the cables 31 a and 35 a leading to theground cable 30 and to the communication cable 34 of the bus 18, morespecifically the drain of the MOSFET 54 is connected to the cable 35 aleading to the communication cable 34, the source of the MOSFET 54 isconnected to an end of the resistor 56, and a second end of the resistor56 is connected to the cable 31 a leading to the ground cable 30. Thegate of the MOSFET 54 is driven by the processor 40 through a commandline 58.

Finally, the polarizer 52 is shown, in the form of a resistor 52,connected between the cables 33 a and 35 a leading to the power supplyand communication cables 32, 34 upstream of all of the devices of theunit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26.

When the processor 40 does not apply voltage to the gate of the MOSFET54, the drain and the source are substantially isolated from one anotherand the voltage on the communication cable 34 is dictated by thepolarizer 52. When the processor 40 applies a voltage to the gate of theMOSFET 54 that is greater than its threshold voltage, an electriccurrent flows through the MOSFET 54 and there is a drop in the voltageon the communication cable 34 through the resistor 56.

The voltage Vbus on the communication cable 34 of the bus 18 then passesfrom a constant value called quiescence voltage Vq hereinbelow when inany unit a voltage is not applied to the gate of the MOSFET 54—voltagecorresponding to a first logic level, for example to a logic 0—, to avalue Vtx below Vq when in a unit a voltage is applied to the gate ofthe MOSFET 54—voltage corresponding to a second logic level, for exampleto a logic 1. The value of the voltage Vbus on the communication cable34 of the bus is detected by the demodulator or receiver 50 andtranslated in a logic level 0 or 1. Through the control over time of thevoltage applied to the gate of the MOSFET 54, the processor 40 throughthe transmitter 48 is therefore able to transmit binary signals on thecommunication cable 34.

It should be highlighted that some of the blocks shown in FIGS. 2, 3 andsome of the components shown in FIGS. 4, 5 can be left out.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a communication protocol according to theinvention, relative to transmission and FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of thecommunication protocol, relative to reception. The communicationprotocol provides that there is a single transmitting unit at a time andconstant listening for reception by all of the units.

As far as transmission is concerned, with reference to FIG. 6, theprocessor 40 of one unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 that must transmit amessage first checks, in a block 100 and through the receiver 50, thatthe voltage Vbus on the communication cable 34 is equal to thequiescence value Vq for a minimum time Tq, sized as average time duringwhich on the average no device is using the bus. Tq is a minimum timethat ensures that a message will not be interrupted and it can beconstant, zero or variable and adapt to the modes of use.

In the negative case, i.e. if the value of the voltage Vbus hasdecreased to Vtx<Vq, this means that a unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26(including the unit itself that must transmit the message) already has atransmission under way, for which reason the execution stays in thechecking block 100.

In the positive case, i.e. if the value of the voltage Vbus stays equalto Vq for the time period Tq, this means that no unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24,26 is transmitting and the communication cable 34 is available.

In this case, the processor 40 loads, block 102, the message to betransmitted in a transmission buffer—although the loading can take placebefore the check of block 100.

The processor 40 then transmits, block 104, the message loaded in thetransmission buffer one bit at a time, through the transmitter 48, andchecks, block 106, through the receiver 50, that the transmitted bit iscorrectly loaded on the communication cable 34. In a block 108 theprocessor 40 checks whether the transmission of the current bit tookplace correctly, and whether the message to be transmitted has ended. Inthe negative case, it returns to block 104 to transmit another bit—or toretransmit the same bit or start again to transmit the message in thecase of an error, while in the affirmative case the execution of thetransmission protocol has ended.

As far as reception is concerned, with reference to FIG. 7, theprocessor 40 of each unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 connected in the bicycleelectronic system 1 checks, in a block 120 and through the receiver 50,that the voltage Vbus on the communication cable 34 is equal to thequiescence value Vq for the minimum time Tq. So long as this conditionis true, no unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 is transmitting and the processorcontinues to check the voltage Vbus. This check in reception can howeverbe left out.

When the voltage Vbus is no longer equal to Vq, rather it is equal toVtx since a unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 is transmitting, the processor 40of each unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 connected in the bicycle electronicsystem 1 receives, in a block 122 and through the receiver 50, an entiremessage bit by bit, for example storing it in a receiving buffer.

The processor 40 of each unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 connected in thebicycle electronic system 1, in a block 124, thus checks whether themessage is addressed to the unit 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 of which it ispart, and in the negative case goes back to checking the voltage Vbus inblock 120.

The processor 40 of the addressee unit of the message, in which thecheck of block 124 has had a positive outcome, transmits, in a block126, an acknowledgment of message received, through the aforementionedprotocol—or through a modified protocol in which it does not wait inblock 100 for the bus to be free.

The processor 40 of the addressee unit of the message, in a block 128,optionally carries out an action in response to the message received.For example, in the case of an upward gearshifting request message fromthe manual command management unit 14, the associated derailleurmanagement unit 16 carries out the upward gearshifting by suitablydriving the electric motor for moving the chain guide element of thederailleur.

Thereafter, the processor 40 of the addressee unit of the messagetransmits, in a block 130, a confirmation of action having taken place,through the aforementioned protocol.

The bicycle electronic system 1 described above has a distributedarchitecture, wherein a central processing unit is advantageouslyabsent. All of the units 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 are at the same level,none is slave or master of others. The bicycle electronic system 1described above can easily be reconfigured with the addition, theremoval or the replacement of units. The provision of a bus 18 havingthree cables for the entire bicycle electronic system 1 also facilitatesthe assembly operations with respect to systems wherein the variousdevices are interconnected with a number of cables variable from pointto point in the system.

The communication and power supply bus 18 embodies a directcommunication channel between the processor 40 of a first one of theunits 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26 and the processor 40 of a second one of theunits 14-17, 20, 22, 24, 26.

In particular, the communication and power supply bus 18 embodies:

a direct communication channel between the processor 40 of the manualcommand management unit 14 and the processor 40 of the derailleurmanagement unit 16,

a direct communication channel between the processor 40 of the manualcommand management unit 15 and the processor 40 of the derailleurmanagement unit 17,

a direct communication channel between the processor 40 of the manualcommand management unit 14 and the processor 40 of the derailleurmanagement unit 17,

a direct communication channel between the processor 40 of the manualcommand management unit 15 and the processor 40 of the derailleurmanagement unit 16,

The bicycle electronic system 1001 shown in FIGS. 8-11 comprises amanual command management unit 1014 and a derailleur management unit1016.

For example, the manual command and management unit 1014 is the one thatis actuated with the right hand, comprising in a per se known manner acasing that is configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicyclehandlebar, and the derailleur management unit 1016 is the one that isassociated to the rear wheel.

Preferably but not necessarily, the bicycle electronic system 1 furthercomprises other units.

A second manual command management unit 1015 and a second derailleurmanagement unit 1017 are thus shown, in the above example the oneactuated with the left hand, comprising in a per se known manner acasing that is configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicyclehandlebar, and the one associated with the axle of the pedal cranks,respectively.

In an alternative embodiment, there can be just the management unit ofthe front derailleur and the respective control, typically actuatablewith the left hand.

For the sake of brevity, hereinafter reference shall be made to the caseof two manual command management units 1014, 1015 and two derailleurmanagement units 1016, 1017.

Of the other units that can be present in the system 1001, a batteryunit 1012 is shown.

In other embodiments (not shown), the battery unit 1012 can be absentand replaced by a battery or accumulator that is present in at least onederailleur management unit 1016, 1017. For the sake of simplicity of thedescription, hereinafter reference shall be made to the battery unit1012, but what is said can also be applied mutatis mutandis to the casein which the battery is incorporated in the derailleur managementunit(s) 1016, 1017.

Of the other units that can be present in the bicycle electronic system1001 there is an interface unit 1020, that is present in the embodimentof FIGS. 8 and 10 and absent in the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 11.

The interface unit 1020, if present, can receive commands from themanual command management unit(s) 1014, 1015 and forward them to thederailleur management unit(s) 1016, 1017.

The interface unit 1020, if present, can possibly comprise a userinterface including a display and/or keys, buttons, levers, a joystickor other command input members, including a touch screen.

Of the units that can be present in the bicycle electronic system 1001,but are not shown in FIGS. 8-11, are further mentioned: a batteryrecharger unit, that is preferably removably connected to the batteryunit 1012, a sensor unit, a logging unit and a generic peripheral unit,for example a unit for detecting/processing the pedalling effort, one ormore remotely-positioned command units, namely one or more duplicatedcommand unit(s) in different positions on the handlebar or elsewhere,etc. Reference is also made to what has been described above withreference to FIG. 1.

As shall be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the various unitsof the bicycle electronic system 1001, except for possibly the batteryunit 1012 and/or the battery recharger unit, are connected in acommunication network to exchange service or error commands or messages.

The battery unit 1012 supplies the necessary power to the derailleurmanagement units 1016, 1017.

In some embodiments, the battery unit 1012 could also supply thenecessary power to the manual command management units 1014, 1015, butin a wireless manner, through radiofrequency electromagnetic field, asbetter illustrated hereinbelow.

In some embodiments, the battery unit 1012 could also supply thenecessary power to the interface unit 1020, via cable or preferably in awireless manner, through radiofrequency electromagnetic field, as betterillustrated hereinbelow.

The battery unit 2012 comprises in a per se known manner a battery cellor battery or accumulator, which can also be formed of plural cells,preferably rechargeable ones, typically connected in series. The batteryis connected between ground and power supply wires to supply a voltagedifference between the two wires available for the derailleur managementunits 1016, 1017 through a first electric power supply connection cable1024 and a second electric power supply connection cable 1026,respectively. The battery unit 2012 thus provides at least the energynecessary for supplying power to electric motors of the derailleurmanagement units 1016, 1017.

If the battery unit 2012 is also connected in the communication networkof the system 1001, it also comprises communication means, as shall bebetter illustrated hereinbelow.

The other units, in particular the manual command management unit 1014,the manual command management unit 1015, the derailleur management unit1016, the derailleur management unit 1017 and the interface unit 1020 ifpresent, each comprise respective communication means, as betterillustrated hereinbelow.

More in detail, reference is made to FIGS. 12 and 13, illustrating thegeneral block diagram representative of each of the aforementioned units1012, 1014-1017, 1020, in two embodiments. As detailed hereinbelow, notall the units of the system 1001 comprise all of the blocks indicated inFIGS. 12, 13, respectively.

Each unit 1014-1017, 1020 comprises a processor 1030, preferably amicrocontroller. In the battery unit 1012, the processor 1030 may beabsent.

Each of the manual command management units 1014, 1015 and the interfaceunit 1020 where present comprises a wireless communication device 1032.The wireless communication device 1032 comprises an antenna 1034 and atransceiver 1035 as shown. In the manual command management units 1014,1015 the transceiver 1035 can be replaced by a transmitter.

Also each of the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 preferablycomprises the wireless communication device 1032, preferably comprisingthe transceiver 1035 and the antenna 1034. In the derailleur managementunits 1016, 1017, the transceiver 1035 can be replaced by a receiver.

Also the battery unit 1012 can comprise the wireless communicationdevice 1032, preferably comprising the transceiver 1035 and the antenna1034.

As an alternative or in addition to the wireless communication device1032, in the battery unit 1012, in the interface unit 1020 where presentand/or in the derailleur management units 1016, 1017, the communicationof data/commands can occur via cable, managed by the processor 1030. Forexample, the communication via cable can occur according to themodalities described above with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

In particular the communication of data/commands between the batteryunit 1012 and the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 preferablyoccurs through the connection cables 1024, 1026, respectively.

Although not shown, there can also be a cable for power supplyconnection and possibly for data/command connection between theinterface unit 1020 and the battery unit 1012.

In other words, in the derailleur management units 1016, 1017, in theinterface unit 1020 and/or in the battery unit 1012 the communicationcan take place both via cable and wireless.

On the other hand, the manual command management units 1014, 1015 havejust the wireless communication device 1032 and do not have cables fordata/command connection or for power supply connection with the rest ofthe system 1001. Where present, the transceiver 1035 can be a separatecomponent from the processor 1030 or it can be embodied directly in theprocessor 1030, as schematized by the dashed line.

The antenna 1034 can be a discrete component, but preferably it is madeas a track on a printed circuit board carrying the processor 1030.

The processor 1030 controls and/or is controlled by specific devices forthe unit 1012, 1014-1017, 1020 itself, depicted by a generic functionalblock 1036. For example, in the case of the manual command managementunit 1014, 1015 the functional block 1036 typically comprises at leastone or two switches to transmit, upon their change of state, an upwardgearshifting request command and/or a downward gearshifting requestcommand, respectively, as well as possibly levers or buttons foractuating the switches; in the case of the derailleur management unit1016, 1017, the functional block 1036 comprises for example a drivingcircuit of an electric motor and/or an electric motor for moving thechain guide element of the derailleur; in the case of the interface unit1020, the functional block 1036 comprises for example a data and programmemory and possibly a display and/or control switches; in the case ofthe battery unit 1012, the functional block 1036 typically comprises thebattery or accumulator.

Of particular interest, in the manual command management unit 1014,1015, the processor 1030, in response to the manual actuation of aswitch of its functional block 1036, emits a derailleur command; and theprocessor 1030 of the derailleur management unit 1016 and/or 1017receives and processes the derailleur command through the drivingcircuit of the electric motor provided in the functional block 1036 ofthe derailleur management unit 1016 and/or 1017.

As far as the other possible units of the system 1001, not depicted, areconcerned: in the case of the sensor unit, the functional block 1036comprises one or more sensors of variables such as travel speed, thecadence of rotation of the pedal cranks, the torque applied to the pedalcranks, the slope of the travel terrain, the heart rate of the cyclistand similar; in the case of the logging unit, the functional block 1036comprises for example a clock and a memory to store events and therespective times when they occur; finally, in the case of a genericperipheral unit, the functional block 1036 comprises one or moreelectronic devices controlled by or for controlling the processor 1030;there could be peripheral units having only a processing function,without the functional block 1036.

The manual command management units 1014, 1015 and preferably also theinterface unit 1020, further comprise a power supply circuit 1031 forthe processor 1030 and for the wireless communication device 1032.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, the power supply circuit 1031comprises a battery power supply source 1033 and a driver 1037 suitablefor supplying the processor 1030 and the wireless communication device1032 with the voltage generated by the battery power supply source 1033.The battery power supply source is preferably a battery of the buttoncell type, but it could comprise one or more cylindrical cells orprismatic cells.

The battery power supply source 1033 is sufficient to supply not onlythe processor 1030 and the communication device 1032, rather also thefunctional block 1036, which in the case of the manual commandmanagement units 1014, 1015 simply comprises one or more manuallyactuated switches. Also in the case of the interface unit 1020, wherepresent, a battery power supply source is in general sufficient tosupply the functional block 1036 even in the case of a small display.

In embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, the power supply circuit 1031 ofthe manual command management units 1014, 1015 is configured to absorbenergy from a radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within thesystem 1001, preferably in the interface unit 1020.

The radiofrequency power supply circuit 1031 exploits in particular RFID(Radio Frequency IDentification) technology, which is per se well knownand therefore is not described in detail. FIG. 13 shows a driver 1038connected to the antenna 1034 to absorb energy from the electromagneticfield, but alternatively there can be a second antenna, dedicated tosuch a function.

In a preferred embodiment, the radiofrequency power supply circuit 1031(FIG. 13) of the manual command management units 1014, 1015 furthercomprises an energy accumulation device, preferably an accumulationcondenser 1039. Through such an energy accumulation device 1039, themanual command management unit 1014, 1015 is able to self-power itsprocessor 1030 for a length of time sufficient to transmit a request foremission of radiofrequency electromagnetic field to the component of thesystem 1001 that generates it, in particular the interface unit 1020.

Such an energy accumulation device, preferably an accumulationcondenser, can also be present in the case of a battery power supplycircuit 1031 (not shown in FIG. 12).

In the case of the interface unit 1020, where present, the battery powersupply source 1033 is therefore preferably sufficient to also power thecomponents of the manual command management units 1014, 1015, throughthe generation of a radiofrequency electromagnetic field. Its antenna1034 is also configured to emit such a radiofrequency electromagneticfield.

The radiofrequency electromagnetic field could also be generated in thebattery unit 1012. In this case, the radiofrequency electromagneticfield generated in the battery unit 1012 could also be used to supplythe components of the interface unit 1020 that would then comprise aradiofrequency power supply circuit 1037 of the type shown in FIG. 13.

The provision of a wireless communication device 1032 or of cabledcommunication means in each unit (possibly apart from the battery unit1012) connected in the bicycle electronic system 1001 allows thecommunication of data and/or commands among the various units. Inparticular, the manual command management unit 1014, 1015 and/or thesensor unit where provided for can communicate with the derailleurmanagement units 1016, 1017 to impart upward and downward gearshiftingcommands and receive status messages of the derailleurs. A communicationprotocol particularly suitable for wireless communication within thebicycle electronic system 1001 is illustrated hereinafter.

As stated above, in some units the transmitter function and/or thereceiver function could be absent, of course giving up the ability tocommunicate (or the full ability) for such units and possibly changingthe communication protocol with respect to the one describedhereinafter.

According to the diagram of FIG. 8, the wireless communication ofdata/commands within the system 1001 is carried out through a networkconfigured like a star or a tree, with the interface unit 1020 acting asroot or star centre node and communicating with the manual commandmanagement unit 1014, the manual command management unit 1015, thederailleur management unit 1016, the derailleur management unit 1017,which act as peripheral nodes, respectively, through wirelesscommunication channels 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043.

The battery unit 1012 is not connected within the communication networkor it is connected within the communication network through cabledcommunications with the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 via thecables 1024, 1026 provided for the power supply connection.

As stated, there can also be a cable for power supply connection andpossibly for data/command connection between the interface unit 1020 andthe battery unit 1012 (not shown).

The derailleur management units 1016, 1017 can possibly communicate withone another through the interface unit 1020 and/or through the batteryunit 1012.

According to the diagram of FIG. 9, the wireless communication ofdata/commands within the system 1001 is carried out through a meshnetwork, with the manual command management unit 1014 communicating withthe derailleur management unit 1016 and the derailleur management unit1017, respectively, through wireless communication channels 1044, 1045;and with the manual command management unit 1015 communicating with thederailleur management unit 1016 and the derailleur management unit 1017,respectively, through communication channels 1046, 1047. Each unit1014-1017 therefore represents a node that acts as receiver and/ortransmitter and/or repeater and the interface unit 1020 is absent.

Also in this case, the battery unit 1012 is not connected within thecommunication network or it is connected within the communicationnetwork through cabled communications with the derailleur units 1016,1017 via the cables 1024, 1026 provided for the power supply connection.

According to the diagram of FIG. 10, the wireless communication ofdata/commands within the system 1001 is carried out through a meshnetwork, with the interface unit 1020 communicating with the manualcommand management unit 1014, the manual command management unit 1015,the derailleur management unit 1016 and the derailleur management unit1017, respectively, through wireless communication channels 1048, 1049,1050, 1051; and with the battery unit 1012 communicating with the manualcommand management unit 1014, the manual command management unit 1015,the derailleur management unit 1016 and the derailleur management unit1017, respectively, through wireless communication channels 1052, 1053,1054, 1055.

Alternatively, the wireless communication channels 1054, 1055 can beabsent and the communication between the derailleur management unit 1016and the derailleur management unit 1017 and the battery unit 1012 cantake place through the connection cables 1024, 1026, respectively.

As stated, there can also be a cable for power supply connection andpossibly for data/command connection between the interface unit 1020 andthe battery unit 1012 (not shown).

Also in this case the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 canpossibly communicate with each other through the interface unit 1020and/or through the battery unit 1012.

According to the diagram of FIG. 11, the wireless communication ofdata/commands within the system 1001 is carried out through a meshnetwork, with the manual command management unit 1014 communicating withthe derailleur management unit 1016 and the battery unit 1012,respectively, through wireless communication channels 1056, 1057; withthe manual command management unit 1015 communicating with thederailleur management unit 1017 and the battery unit 1012, respectively,through communication channels 1058, 1059; and with the battery unit1012 communicating with the derailleur management unit 1016 and with thederailleur management unit 1017, respectively, through communicationchannels 1060, 1061. Each unit 1014-1017, 1012 therefore represents anode that acts as receiver and/or transmitter and/or repeater.

Alternatively, the wireless communication channels 1060, 1061 can beabsent and the communication between the derailleur management unit 1016and the derailleur management unit 1017 and the battery unit 1012 cantake place through the connection cables 1024, 1026, respectively.

It should be noted that the bicycle electronic system 1001 depicted inFIGS. 9 and 11 has a distributed architecture, wherein an interface unit1020 and a central processing unit is advantageously absent. All of theunits 1014-1017, and 1012 in FIGS. 9 and 11, are of the same level, noneis slave or master of others.

Those skilled in the art will understand that other diagrams orarchitectures of communication network among the units of the system1001 are possible.

The bicycle electronic system 1001 described above can easily bereconfigured with the addition, removal or replacement of units, forexample those described above, in the various network configurationsdescribed above or in variants thereof. The power supply connection ofsuch additional units can take place via cable or via radiofrequencyelectromagnetic field, and the connection within communication networkcan take place via cable or wireless, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art based on the above teachings.

In the bicycle electronic system 1001 it is possible to insert even moreunits (and in particular ZigBee End Devices, see later), intended forexample for: measurement of GPS position, altimetry, temperature,detection of the physical state of the cyclist, power developed by thecyclist, battery charge, etc.

As schematically depicted in FIG. 14, each unit 1012, 1014-1017, 1020 isenclosed by its own casing, preferably by a water-tight casing, morepreferably meeting at least standard IP67.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the various units 1012, 1014-1017,1020 of the system 1001 is summarized, according to some preferredembodiments.

Each of the manual command management units 1014, 1015 is an independentor self-standing or “total wireless” unit, in the sense that it does nothave cabled connections for the power supply (exploiting the possibilityof being powered by radiofrequency by the power supply circuit 1031 ofFIG. 13 or having its own battery power supply circuit 1031 of FIG. 12);it also lacks cabled communications for communication (transmission andoptionally reception).

As better illustrated in FIG. 15, in the casing of each of the manualcommand management units 1014, 1015—made up of two half-shells 1070,1071 and configured in a per se known way (the depiction of FIG. 15 istotally schematic) for fixing at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar—thereare:

one or more buttons 1072 or levers or similar elements for actuatinguser interface switches for manually sending the desired commands,suitably integrated in the wall of the casing or projecting therefrom;

the battery 1033 of the power supply circuit 1031 if of the battery type(FIG. 12), absent in the case of a radiofrequency power supply circuit1031 (FIG. 13);

a wireless electronic board or printed circuit board 1074, comprising(not all of the components are highlighted in FIG. 15 for the sake ofclarity):

-   -   the driver 1037 or 1038 of the power supply circuit 1031,    -   a communication antenna 1034, possibly also part of the        radiofrequency power supply circuit 1031 (FIG. 13),    -   the aforementioned one or more user interface switches 1076,        preferably a switch to impart an “up” command, a switch to        impart a “down” command, a switch to impart a “mode” command, in        a manner per se well known way in the field (functional block        1036),    -   a transceiver 1035 for sending and receiving data via        radiofrequency,    -   a microprocessor 1030 for controlling the functions of the        aforementioned components,    -   preferably, the energy accumulation and management condenser        1039 in the case of a radiofrequency power supply circuit 1031        (FIG. 13).

The interface unit 1020, where present, is preferably an independent orself-standing or “total wireless” unit, in the sense that it does nothave cabled connections for the power supply; it also preferably doesnot have cabled connections for communication (transmission andoptionally reception).

As better illustrated in FIG. 16, in the casing of the interface unit1020—made up of two half-shells 1080, 1081 (the depiction of FIG. 15 istotally schematic)—there are:

a possible display 1082, possibly of the touch-screen type—in FIG. 16the display 1082 is illustrated on a printed circuit board 1083 and, atthe display 1082, there is a hole or transparent window 1084 in thehalf-shell 1081;

possible buttons or levers or similar elements, for example a joystick1085, for activating user interface switches for manually sending thedesired commands, suitably integrated in the wall of the casing orprojecting therefrom (in FIG. 16 a hole is illustrated with joystickcover 1086 projecting from the half-shell 1081);

the battery 1033 of the power supply circuit 1031 if of the battery type(FIG. 12), absent in the case of a radiofrequency power supply circuit1031 (FIG. 13) and/or if the interface unit 1020 is connected via cablewith the battery unit 1012 as stated above;

the aforementioned wireless electronic board or printed circuit board1083, comprising (not all the components are highlighted in FIG. 16 forthe sake of clarity):

-   -   the driver 1037 or 1038 of the power supply circuit 1031,    -   a communication antenna 1034, possibly also part of the        radiofrequency power supply circuit 1031 (FIG. 13) if the        interface unit 1020 is powered by radiofrequency by the battery        unit 1012; if, on the other hand, the interface unit 1020 powers        by radiofrequency the manual command management units 1014,        1015, then the communication antenna 1034 is suitable for        generating and propagating a suitable radiofrequency        electromagnetic field,    -   the aforementioned user interface switches, preferably five        switches controlled by the aforementioned joystick 1085 to        impart an “up” command, a “down” command, a “right” command, a        “left” command and an “enter”/“mode” command of a graphical user        interface (GUI) embodied by the aforementioned display 1082, or        switches of a keypad or keyboard with buttons dedicated to        various functions (functional block 1036),    -   a transceiver 1035 for sending and receiving data via        radiofrequency,    -   a microprocessor 1030 for controlling the functions of the        aforementioned components and for interfacing with/managing the        microprocessor 1030 of the manual command management units 1014,        1015. In particular, the microprocessor 1030 of the interface        unit 1020 acts as a root node or star centre node for the        wireless communication network embodied in the system 1001 (FIG.        8, 10). The microprocessor 1030 can also have the functionality        of cabled communication with the battery unit 1012, if such a        connection cable is present.

Each of the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 can be (FIG. 10, 11)a semi-independent or “partial wireless” unit, in the sense that it doesnot have cabled connections for communication (transmission andoptionally reception), but it has the aforementioned cabled connections1024, 1026 with the battery unit 1012 for the power supply. In theembodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the connection for the communication ofdata/commands between each of the derailleur management units 1016, 1017and the battery unit 1012 also takes place via cable, but suchderailleur management units 1016, 1017 do not have connections for thecommunication of data/commands with the manual command management units1014, 1015.

In the casing of each of the derailleur management units 1016, 1017there are:

a chain guide element or cage and an electromechanical actuator to movethe chain guide element;

a wireless electronic board, comprising:

-   -   a communication antenna 1034,    -   a transceiver 1035 for sending and receiving data via        radiofrequency,    -   a power circuit for commanding the actuator (functional block        1036),    -   a microprocessor 1030 for controlling the functions of the        aforementioned components. The microprocessor 1030 can also have        the functionality of communication via cable with the battery        unit 1012.

The battery unit 1012 can be (FIG. 10, 11) a semi-independent or“partial wireless” unit, in the sense that it does not have cabledconnections for communication (transmission and optionally reception),but it has the aforementioned cabled connections 1024, 1026 with thederailleur management units 1016, 1017 for supplying them with power. Inthe embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the connection for the communicationof data/commands between the battery unit 1012 and each of thederailleur management units 1016, 1017 also takes place via cable, butsuch a battery unit 1012 does not have connections for the communicationof data/commands with the manual command management units 1014, 1015.

In the casing of the battery unit 1012 there are:

a power battery, preferably a lithium-ion polymer battery;

optionally, a wireless electronic board, comprising:

-   -   a communication antenna 1034, possibly suitable for generating        and propagating a suitable radiofrequency electromagnetic field,        in case it is the battery unit 1012 that supplies the interface        unit 1020 and the manual command management units 1014, 1015        with power,    -   a transceiver 1035 for sending and receiving data via        radiofrequency,    -   a microprocessor 1030 for controlling the functions of the        aforementioned components.

The communication of commands from the manual command management units1014, 1015 to the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 preferablytakes place according to the following steps, under the assumption thatthere is an interface unit 1020 (FIGS. 8, 10) and that it is the latterthat supplies the manual command management units 1014, 1015 with powerby radiofrequency electromagnetic field—the changes in the other casesbeing within the capabilities of one skilled in the art in light of thepresent description:

a) pressing a button 1072 in a manual command management unit 1014, 1015by the cyclist,

b) waking up the processor 1030 in the manual command management unit1014, 1015 from a sleep or stand-by state, said waking being possiblethanks to the energy accumulated in the aforementioned energyaccumulation device 1039, where provided for

c) transmitting a wakening command from the manual command managementunit 1014, 1015 to the interface unit 1020,

d) waking up the interface unit 1020, which immediately sends energy tothe manual command management unit(s) 1014, 1015,

e) communicating the usual data/commands traffic between the manualcommand management unit(s) 1014, 1015 and interface unit 1020, possiblesince, thanks to step d), the manual command management unit(s) 1014,1015 has/have sufficient energy,

f) at the end of the communication or data/commands traffic, theinterface unit 1020 sends energy and puts the manual command managementunits 1014, 1015 to sleep or stand-by, until they are awoken again,

g) the interface unit 1020 in turn goes to sleep or stand-by, until itis awoken again.

Preferably, moreover:

h) if an interaction event takes place between the cyclist and theinterface unit 1020, one goes to step d); and/or

if no interaction event takes place between the cyclist and the manualcommand management unit 1014, 1015 or the interface unit 1020:

the interface unit 1020 wakes up at a predetermined frequency,

it checks its operating state, and, if it does not have outstandingoperations carry out, it sends energy to the manual command managementunit(s) 1014, 1015 and then goes back to sleep.

As described in the introductory part, preferably the wirelesscommunication takes place in accordance with a low power wirelesscommunication protocol selected from ZigBee, Blue tooth, BlueTooth LowPower consumption, NFC, WiFi, RFID, more preferably in accordance withthe protocol known as ZigBee.

ZigBee protocol, based on the standard IEEE 802.15.4, can in particularwork at the frequency of 868 MHz or 2.4 GHz. It is based on hardwarethat allows a branched architecture to be implemented wherein the outerelements are called leaves or peripheral nodes (ZED—ZigBee End Device),while the elements with a function of management of the system fortransmitting network organization packets are called coordinators(ZC—ZigBee Coordinator), which thus perform the function both of leafand of manager. There can also be intermediate nodes (ZR—ZigBee Router)that perform the function of intermediate routers, passing the data fromand towards other devices to optimize the routing of the signals.

In particular, in the architectures of FIGS. 8-11 the units that havebeen described as peripheral nodes (units 1014-1017 in FIG. 8, units1014-1017, in FIG. 9, units 1014-1017 in FIG. 10, units 1014, 1015 inFIG. 11) can be implemented as ZEDs, one of the units that have beendescribed as root nodes or star centre nodes (unit 1020 in FIG. 8, unit1012 in FIG. 10, unit 1016 and/or 1017 in FIG. 11) can be implemented asZC and the other units that have been described as root nodes or starcentre nodes (unit 1020 in FIG. 10, unit 1012 in FIG. 11) can beimplemented as ZR. In particular, an interface unit 1020 can be madewith a ZR to allow the manual command management units 1014, 1015 tosend information to the derailleur management units 1016, 1017 throughthe interface unit 1020.

The ZigBee devices have a sufficiently low energy consumption to be ableto operate for one or two years exploiting the battery incorporated inthe individual nodes, for example an AAA battery.

There are many “dialects” of such ZigBee protocol introduced by RenesasElectronics Corporation, Microchip Technology, NXP and other companies,all suitable for reducing consumption.

In ZigBee protocol, in order to reduce consumption the length of thepackets sent in each communication is at most 128 byte.

In the coordinator nodes ZC there are functionalities suitable forreducing the use of communication channels perturbed by other deviceswith the change of channel used automatically.

The footprint of the ZigBee protocol requires little programme memoryand data memory, typically 16 k, 3 or 4 k of RAM and the use of aroyalty free stack.

Among the ZigBee devices available on the market there are dedicatedprocessors, of the type commercialised by NXP, and solutions withexternal ZigBee peripheral, of the type commercialised by RenesasElectronics Corporation and Microchip Technology, which use an externaltransceiver with which the processor interfaces with modem type “AT”commands.

A ZigBee wireless network can be of the “cluster” type, wherein all ofthe leaves must pass through a coordinator for communicating with eachother.

A ZigBee wireless network can be of the “mesh” type, wherein the leavescan also communicate with each other directly without passing throughthe coordinator, but if and only if at the radiofrequency visibilitylevel they can see one another, otherwise, if there are problems orinterference, the communication can take place through the coordinator.The leaves in the case of a “mesh” network become coordinators, with anincrease in requirements in terms of memory.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart of a communication protocol, relative to a unit1012, 1014-1017, 1020 of the system 1001 that acts as a peripheral node,and in particular as a leaf or ZED—ZigBee End Device in thecommunication network within the system 1001, and FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a communication protocol, relative to a unit that acts as aroot node or star centre node in the communication network within thesystem, and in particular as a ZC—ZigBee Coordinator or as a ZR—ZigBeeRouter.

The possible changes to be made to the flow charts described above inthe case of communication protocols different from ZigBee are within thecapabilities of one skilled in the art.

With reference to FIG. 17, in a block 1100 the initialisation of theunit 1012, 1014-1017, 1020 takes place.

Reference numerals 1101 and 1102 indicate task blocks. Task 1, and Task2 are tasks that can be extended to a whole number corresponding to themaximum number of Tasks that the peripheral node unit that establishedthe communication is able to simultaneously manage.

For example, in the case of a unit indicated as Leaf1, the latter withTask1 can communicate with a unit indicated as Leaf3, with Task 2 it cancommunicate with a unit indicated as Leaf4, with a Task 3 (not shown) itcan communicate with a coordinator unit etc.

Each task comprises the execution of a communication according to thefollowing sequence of operations.

In a block 1103 a socket is opened with a preselected leaf, Leaf3 in thecase illustrated. The socket can be considered a gate, which one chooseto open towards the desired device, which the Zig Bee stack manages. Atthe application software level, the socket allows receive( )—in otherwords generic receiving—or send (addressee, request) to the unitconnected through the socket operations to be carried out.

In a block 1104, local requests are processed—for example, it is checkedwhether a button 1072 of the manual command management unit 1014, 1015has been actuated by the cyclist.

In a block 1105 it is checked whether there are requests for the leafwith which the task is being carried out, namely the leaf with which thesocket is opened.

In the negative case, block 1104 is returned to. In the affirmativecase, one goes on to a block 1106.

In block 1106 the request is sent to the leaf with which the task isbeing carried out, namely the leaf with which the socket is opened, andpreferably a maximum time within which a response must be received fromsuch a leaf is set, indicated as response timeout. The maximum time isset and its passing is overseen by a suitable time-counter function,which exploits for example a clock signal inside the processor 1030.

In a block 1107 it is checked whether the response is available. In thenegative case, in a block 1108 it is checked whether the time set astimeout has passed or lapsed. In the negative case, execution ofchecking block 1107 is returned to, while in the affirmative case,namely if the timeout has lapsed, execution of block 1106 of sending arequest is returned to. Therefore, the request is sent plural times, atthe frequency set by the timeout, until a response comes back.

When the response is available, affirmative outcome of block 1107, in ablock 1109 the response of the leaf with which the task is being carriedout, namely the leaf with which the socket is opened (Leaf3 in theillustrated case) is received and possibly decoded.

In a block 1110 the response is then processed and to execution of block1104 of processing local requests is returned to.

It can be provided to receive requests from other units and/or to send aconfirmation of action carried out (not shown).

The communication protocol relative to a unit that acts as a root nodeor star centre node in the communication network within the system, andin particular as ZC—ZigBee Coordinator or as ZR—ZigBee Routerillustrated in FIG. 18 is advantageously very similar to what has justbeen described. For this reason, the respective blocks are indicatedwith similar reference numerals, increased by 100 and for the sake ofbrevity they will not be described in detail.

The protocol of FIG. 18 differs from that of FIG. 17 in that in block1203 the socket can be open not only with one unit or leaf, but alsosimultaneously with plural units or leaves, with Leaf1, Leaf2, Leaf3,Leaf4 in the depicted example. The root or star centre unit orcoordinator, unlike the leaves, can send commands/information broadcast,i.e. to all the leaves connected thereto. Just as an example, some ofsuch information/commands can be briefly described as “gearshifting inprogress on front and/or rear derailleur”, “battery charged”, “motor ofthe derailleur recovering position”, “alarm in progress”—preferably withthe specification of the type of alarm—, “battery exhausted”, “enteringin stand-by mode” in the case of step f) described above, etc.

Other information/commands that can be sent, on the other hand, to asingle leaf can be briefly described as “confirmation of successfulgearshifting of front/rear derailleur”, “battery charge level”,“position/speed/direction of movement of derailleur”, “sleep condition”,“alarm management condition”, etc.

Accordingly, in block 1206 the request is sent to all of such units,with a broadcast transmission, in block 1207 it is checked whether allof the responses are available, in block 1209 one proceeds to receivingall of the responses and in block 1210 one proceeds to process all ofthe responses.

FIG. 19 schematically illustrates a system 1300 for controlling at leastone bicycle according to the invention.

The control system 1300 comprises at least one bicycle electronic system1001 as described above, mounted on board a bicycle, and a supervisordevice 1301 not mounted on board bicycles, in wireless communicationwith each other.

Preferably, the control system 1300 comprises a plurality of bicycleelectronic systems 1001 as described above, each mounted on board arespective bicycle. FIG. 19 shows, by way of an example, five bicycleelectronic systems 1001 mounted on board five bicycles. For the sake ofbrevity sometimes reference is made hereinafter to the bicycle to referto the respective on board system.

Preferably, the supervisor device 1301 is on board a so-called team car,which follows a bicycle or a team of bicycles during a race. On boardthe team car there is the team manager.

Through the wireless communication, as described in the introductorypart the current value of one or more parameters and/or variables of thesystems 1001 on board one or more bicycles can advantageously betransmitted to the supervisor device 1301 and/or the value of one ormore parameters and variables of the systems 1001 on board one or morebicycles can be changed by the supervisor device 1301, with a directcommunication from the supervisor device 1301 to the system 1001 onboard a bicycle and/or with a broadcast communication by the supervisordevice 1301 addressed to all of the on board systems 1001 of thebicycles of the team.

In greater detail, the wireless—and in particular ZigBee—network of thecontrol system 1300 consists of a certain number of electronic systems1001 on board one or more bicycles, within each of which a wirelesssubnetwork is implemented, each with its own coordinator ZC (ZigBeeCoordinator), which will internally consist of ZEDs (ZigBee End Devices)and possibly ZRs (ZigBee Routers).

The coordinator ZC of the subnetwork implemented in the system 1001 ofeach bicycle also has the function of a gateway between the systems 1001of the various bicycles and with another coordinator ZC present in thesupervisor device 1301 on the team car.

The coordinator ZC present in the supervisor device 1301 on the teamcar, through specific software, allows some operations to be defined:monitoring the state of bicycles, parameterization of one or of thebicycles based on the requirements of the current racing route,diagnostic request, etc.

The step of establishing the wireless network of the control system 1300is, first of all, the creation of the network (of the cluster type)among the various coordinators ZC of the on board systems 1001 and ofthe supervisor device 1301, to allow the reciprocalvisibility/communication, and this is allowed by the coordinator node ZCof the supervisor device 1301.

The step of establishing the physical layer of the wireless network ofthe control system 1300 takes place automatically by hardware settingson the ZigBee stack, preferably with suitable protections, like securitykeys, etc.

In establishing the physical layer, there is the definition of thepresence of a unique network address for each network unit. The physicallayer is used at the start of the network for synchronization, and it istransparent for the end user (the control system 1300).

Thereafter, once the physical layer has been created, the applicationlinked to the user part starts the interrogations, as describedhereinafter for some example cases.

In terms of the monitoring of one or more bicycles, it is possible forthe supervisor device 1301 to carry out the request—to each bicycle orto one in particular—for the current values of one or more variables orparameters, including: the speed, the count of gearshifting actionscarried out from the start of the race, the number of toothed wheel onwhich the chain is engaged in the front and/or rear derailleur, thefirmware release of the electronic system(s) 1001 present(s) and/or ofeach electronic board thereof, and any other parameter relative to theconfiguration of the electronic system 1001 on board the bicycle(s).

As far as the diagnostic request is concerned, the supervisor device1301 on board the team car can ask for the diagnostic data from thesystem 1001 on board each bicycle in order to check whether any unitshould or should not be replaced, for example after the cyclist has hada crash, in order to ensure the safety of the vehicle and the desiredperformance.

Using a wireless and in particular ZigBee network is particularlyadvantageous because it allows to check the state of the electronicsystem 1001 on board a bicycle without the bicycle being physicallyvisible to the team car. This is particularly important since during therace the team car is at the back of the group, while the bicycle couldbe sprinting ahead, hundreds of metres ahead.

The parameterization of the electronic system 1001 on board the bicyclecan also be advantageously carried out remotely by the supervisor device1300. Sometimes during a race there can be problems linked for exampleto failures or breaking of a derailleur; in this case it is possible toread the parameters of the bicycle and reset the factory values to tryto restore the correct operation of the on board electronic system 1001,and in particular of the malfunctioning derailleur. In other cases, forexample, the route is very variable and it is necessary to change theparameter of the actuation times of the motor of a derailleur, reducingit or increasing it based on the section of route reached; this can becarried out both at the level of a single bicycle or broadcast to all ofthe followed bicycles to make the operation faster.

From the description that has been made, the characteristics of thebicycle electronic system object of the present invention are clear,just as the relative advantages are also clear.

Further variants of the embodiments described above are possible,without departing from the teaching of the invention.

Finally, it is clear that the bicycle electronic system thus conceivedis subject to undergo several modifications and variants, allencompassed by the invention; moreover, all of the details can bereplaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materialsused, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the technicalrequirements.

1. A bicycle electronic system comprising a first manual commandmanagement unit having a casing configured for being fixed at a handgripof a bicycle handlebar, comprising at least one first manuallyactuatable, a first processor and a first wireless communication device,wherein the first manual command management unit further comprises acircuit for supplying power to the first processor and the firstwireless communication device, the power supply circuit comprising abattery power supply source and/or being configured for absorbing energyfrom a radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.2. Bicycle electronic system according to claim 1, further comprising atleast two units preselected from a first derailleur unit, a secondderailleur unit and a battery unit, and at least one electric cableconnection between said at least two preselected units, wherein said atleast one electric cable connection comprises a power supply connection.3. Bicycle electronic system according to claim 2, wherein said at leastone electric cable connection further comprises a data and/or commandcommunication connection.
 4. Bicycle electronic system according toclaim 1, comprising a second manual command management unit having acasing configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar,comprising at least one second manually actuatable switch, a secondprocessor and a second wireless communication device, wherein the secondmanual command management unit further comprises a second circuit forsupplying power to the second processor and the second wirelesscommunication device, the second power supply circuit comprising abattery power supply source and/or being configured for absorbing energyfrom a radiofrequency electromagnetic field generated within the system.5. Bicycle electronic system according to claim 4, further comprising aninterface unit between the first manual command management unit and therest of the system.
 6. Bicycle electronic system according to claim 5,wherein the interface unit comprises a third processor and a thirdwireless communication device, as well as a third circuit for supplyingpower to the third processor and the third wireless communicationdevice, the third power supply circuit comprising a battery power supplysource configured for providing energy also to said radiofrequencyelectromagnetic field generated within the system.
 7. Bicycle electronicsystem according to claim 1, wherein the first manual command managementunit comprises the power supply circuit configured only for absorbingenergy from a radiofrequency electromagnetic field, and furthercomprising a device for accumulating energy.
 8. Bicycle electronicsystem according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communicationdevice comprises a reception and transmission antenna, and the receptionand transmission antenna is made as a track of a printed circuit board(PCB) carrying the first processor.
 9. Bicycle electronic systemaccording to claim 2, wherein the units of the system on board of a samebicycle are connected in a communication network of the mesh type (meshnetwork), or in a communication network having at least one starsubnetwork, or in a communication network having at least one treesubnetwork.
 10. Bicycle electronic system according to claim 1, whereinthe wireless communication is carried out in accordance with a low powerwireless communication protocol selected from the group consisting ofZigBee, Blue tooth, BlueTooth Low Power consumption, NFC, WiFi, RFID,preferably in accordance with the ZigBee protocol.
 11. Bicycleelectronic system according to claim 9, wherein the communicationnetwork among the units of the system on board of a same bicycle isconfigured to be further in wireless communication with a supervisordevice not mounted on board of the bicycle.
 12. Control system of atleast one bicycle comprising a bicycle electronic system according toclaim 1, and a supervisor device not on board of the bicycle in wirelesscommunication with one another.